hi there,
i recently installed windows 7 on my SSD as i just want to use my HDD just for storage but the problem i have is that i need both drives plugged in the my PC to boot so how to i move the system files to my SSD where the should be in the first place.
thanks
You did not unplug the hard drive when you installed windows on the ssd.
You should reinstall windows to the ssd, WITHOUT the hard drive connected.
Anywho, you need the ssd marked Active, then you can write the system files to the ssd by runnng startup repair.
You can use the install dvd and Diskpart to mark the ssd Active.
Did you setup and align the ssd before you did the install ?
If the SSD is not aligned, you may as well start over.
You can check the alignment like this.
In command prompt type Diskpart, hit enter
list disk, hit enter
select disk 0, hit enter
list partition, hit enter
if the offset on the KB level is not divisable by 4 then it`s wrong.
Example:
You can also unplug the hard drive, start the install again, and this time delete the ssd down to unallocated space, then just hit next. The windows 7 install will then take care of the alignment for you. But you will end up with a system reserved partition.
Clean Install Windows 7
I moved boot files from System Reserved to C with EasyBCD (later deleted SR and regained empty space on the left with Partition Wizard 9 free).
AddRAM - would this not work?
- Use EasyBCD to move boot files
- Mark SSD active in Disk Management (if not with Partition Wizard from Windows or boot)
- restart
You can try this right before a reinstall, and you wouldn't be losing anything other than a few minutes :)
Of course that will work, but it`s better to teach people how to setup a partition properly, then install windows, instead of just fixing it all the time.
The best practice is to either let the installer do everything. ( No other drives plugged in )
Set the drive up with Diskpart ( no system reserved partition ) (and probably the easiest way ) although not for a novice.
Set the drive up using a Partition Wizard Boot CD ( my favorite way )
Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition
Example:
I get you.
When I clean installed last month during HDD-SSD transition, I knew to disconnect all other drives from what I have read here but wasn't aware of System Reserved being needed for bitlocker only. I had to remove it later, but hopefully it worked alright.
Yep, no one taught me, it took a while to learn :)
With a Partition Wizard Boot CD, you can create, align, format and set Active the install partition in less then 5 minutes.
Is your SSD aligned ?
Check it.
If not the PW Boot CD can fix that too :)
It`s easier to use Diskpart in Command Prompt, you don`t have to download or install anything. Takes less the 30 seconds.
ok thanks addram and gokay for your help is will have a look later and report back :)
Quote